Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial and Home Horticulture Production
Agriculture Enhancement and Sustainability
Christin Herbst, Joyce Doyle, Cathy Jansen
Commercial Horticulture
Farmer's Markets
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Local Food Systems
According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Carroll County has 278 farms consisting of 53,562 total acres (61.09% of the total county acreage). The market value of products sold was reported to be $6,441,000 (20% increase from 2007). Crop sales contributed 70% ($4,503,000) of the total value. Approximately $100,000 of those crop sales are a result of nursery and greenhouse crops.
The National Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) reports the following farms and acreage (if available) in horticulture production:
Vegetables:10 farms (12 acres)
Fruit:4 farms
Berries:2 farms
Horticulture production is an important element of agriculture production in Carroll County, as it has been another opportunity to diversify from traditional crop and livestock production. Managing this area of production correctly is essential to the success of other production systems in the county, as well as environmental protection.
Agriculture representatives of the County Extension Council, County Agricultural Development Council, and Riverview Farmer’s Market, as well as day-to-day clientele, have identified best management practices, agriculture awareness, and marketing as priorities for Extension programming.
•Maximize profits for commercial horticulture producers, including the members of the Riverview Farmer’s Market.
•Minimize the environmental impact on air, soil, and water.
•Producers adopt best management practices through taking proper soil samples, following fertilizer and lime recommendations, and utilizing pesticides as directed through Extension Programming.
•Producers adopt proper production practices for horticulture crops.
•Producers adopt Good Agricultural Practices.
•Producers learn about the proper way to take soil samples and utilize pesticides.
•Producers learn more about Good Agricultural Practices, and how to implement them in their operations.
Outcome:
Long term
Indicator:
Increase in horticulture crop cash receipts. Increase in the number of producers and consumers of the Riverview Farmers Market.
Method:
NASS information from the Kentucky Field Office—County summary given for each year. Surveys of the members of the Riverview Farmers Market.
Timeline:
2 – 4 years
Outcome:
Intermediate
Indicator:
More soil samples are taken in the fall. More people involved in Good Agricultural Practices trainings, Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (SrFMNP) and the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).
Method:
Amount of soil samples coming into the office. Increased number of SrFMNP and FMNP participants.
Timeline:
1 – 1 ½ years
Outcome:
Initial
Indicator:
Increased participation in learning workshops and classes.
Method:
Attendance Sheets
Timeline:
8 months – 2 years
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers
Activity:
Horticulture Production Meetings
Content or Curriculum:
Focus on the production techniques of horticulture crops seen in the Farmers Market (tomatoes, leafy greens, brambles, etc.) and home gardening. Also include more involved crops (grapes, fruit trees, etc.).
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time
Date:
February 19, 2018 – Pruning in the Landscape
February 21, 2018 – Soil Sampling and Testing
April 16, 2019 – Culinary Herbs
2020
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
First Fridays
Content or Curriculum:
Plate It Up! recipes and materials, Demonstrations with fresh produce
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Carroll County Extension Homemakers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
July 1, 2016 – Red Potato Salad
August 5, 2016 – Watermelon
September 2, 2016 – Fiesta Potatoes
August 4, 2017 – Watermelon
July 6, 2018
August 3, 2018 - Watermelon
June – September 2019
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Farmer’s Market Demonstrations and Sampling
Content or Curriculum:
Demonstrations held during Farmers Market hours, working with fresh produce
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Carroll County Extension Homemakers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
July 13, 2016 – Zippy Zucchini Cakes
July 16, 2016 – Zippy Zucchini Cakes
July 27, 2016 – Blackberry Lemon Upside Down Cake
July 30, 2016 – Blackberry Peach Crumble
August 4, 2017 – Watermelon
June – September 2019
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers
Activity:
Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT)
Content or Curriculum:
PBPT PowerPoint and Materials
Inputs:
Extension Agent, UK Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
March 15, 2018
April 1, 2019
Spring 2020, if needed.
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Farm to Table Dinner
Content or Curriculum:
Spotlight and raise awareness of Riverview Farmers’ Market
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Time, Money
Date:
July 28, 2018
July 27, 2019
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Educational Material (Publications, etc.) Made Available
Content or Curriculum:
Recipes, handling procedures, etc.
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
All throughout the year
Audience:
Carroll County 4-H Youth (Ages 5-19)
Activity:
Creating Desert Dishes, Terrariums, Hanging Baskets, Herbs, Milkweed (butterfly garden)
Content or Curriculum:
UK Publication
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Carroll County Volunteers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
May 27, 2017
May 26, 2018
April 19, 2019
May 24, 2019
May 2020
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Development of the Horticulture Portion of the County Website
Content or Curriculum:
Online information pertaining to horticulture production
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Author: Christin Herbst
Major Program: Farmer's Markets
In the last twenty years since the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement, Carroll County farmers have been required to diversify their farming operations into agricultural enterprises that will be successful for them into the future. One route farmers took was focused on growing produce and meat, as well as developing a vegetable, fruit, and meat market for the community. The Riverview Farmer’s Market was established in 2004, and in the 2019 season, there were twelve vendors (inclu
